Machine for reshaping used bottle caps



` April 18, 1944.

W. H. HARTMANN MACHINE FOR RESHAPING USED BOTTLE CAPs 3 Sheets-Sheet 1Filed Oct. l5, 1942 April 18, 1944' w. H. HARTMANN MACHINE FOR RESHPING'USED BOTTLE CAPS.

Filed Oct. l5, 1942 3 Sheets-Shea?l 2' April 18, 1944. w. H. HARTMANN2,347,102 l Patented Apr. 18, 1944 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MACHINEFOR RESHAPING USED BOTTLE CAPS Application October 15, 194:2, Serial No.462,148

11 Claims.

A common type of closure for receptacles, particularly bottles,comprises a sheet metal cap having a depending skirt portion that iscontracted about and conformed to the bottle neck for holding the cap inplace. In the operation of removing such a cap from the bottle, theskirt and body portions of the cap are distorted by the cap openingdevice and thus cannot be again used another time without restoring thedistorted cap to its original shape.

The principal object of the present invention is to devise a simple andefficient machine which will reshape or restore such used 'bottle capsto their original form or shape. Other objects of the invention are tofacilitate and expedite the handling of the caps, including the feeding,of the caps to the reshaping dies, the discharge of such caps from saiddies and the marking of the caps to indicate the number of times eachcap has been restored or reshaped.

The invention consists in the cap-closure reshaping machine and in theparts and combinations and arrangements of parts hereinafter describedand claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, which form part of this specification andwherein like symbols refer to like parts wherever they occur,

Figure 1 is a plan view of a receptacle cap reshaping machine embodyingmy invention,

Fig. 2 is a side elevational View of said maf chine,

Fig. 3 is an end elevational view of the discharge., or die-press end ofthe machine,

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical longitudinal section on theline 4 4 in Fig. 3,

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary vertical section on the'line 5 5. in Fig. 3,

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary central vertical longitudinal section on theline 6 6 in Fig. 3,

Fig. 7 is a horizontal section on the line 1 1 in Fig. 6,

Fig. 8 is a bottom plan view of one of the upper die members,

Fig. 9 is a central vertical section through said upper die on the line9 9 in Fig. 8,

Fig. 10 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical longitudinal section on theline iB Iil in Fig. 1; and

Fig. 11 is an enlarged fragmentary section, similar to Fig. 6, showingthe used caps seated on the die members of the rotary drum, thevertically movable upper die member in engagement with the. cap on thetopmost die member of said drum, and one of the reshapcd caps strippedfrom its supporting die.

My closure cap reshaping machine comprises an endless horizontalconveyor A mounted on a suitable bed or platform B and a die-press Cmounted on said bed at the delivery endof said conveyor. The conveyor Apreferably :comprises a pair of spaced parallel endless sprocket chainsI supported at the receiving and discharge ends of the conveyor on idlerand driving sprocket wheela 3 and 4, respectively. The idler sprocketwheels 3 are fixed to a horizontal cross-shaft 5 journaled at its endsin suitable bearings (i mounted in pedestals 'I supported on and securedto the bed B. The driving sprocket wheels 4 are xed to a horizontalcross-shaft vwhose ends are journaled in suitable bearings providedtherefor in upright plates 9 lthat are supported on and secured to thebed B on opposite sides of said conveyor and constitute side framemembers for the die-press C.

The two endless conveyor chains I`are connected at intervals throughouttheir length by a series of cross-plates or pallets I0 spaced apartlongitudinally thereof. These plates have vertical holes or pockets I Itherein that are arranged into one or more endless rows between theendless conveyor chains I. rIhese plates or pallets Ii] are attached, asat IGA, to the sprocket chains I of the conveyor A; and fthe holes crpockets II in said plates or pallets are adapted to receive and supportthe used metal closure caps D that are to be fed to and reshaped orrestored in the die-press C. Such caps comprise a fiat body or closureportion I2 that covers the mouth of the bottle or receptacle and alcrimped skirt portion I3 that is contracted about and conformed to thebottle neck, both portions of said cap being distorted by 'the capopening device in the operation of removing the cap from the bottleclosed thereby. These used or distorted crown caps D are delivered byachute E at the receiving end of the endless conveyor A onto the crossplates or pallets I0 on the upper stretch or run of said conveyor withtheir iiat body portions I2 down and with their crimped skirt portionsI3 extending upwardly. During the travel of the cap carrying plates orslats Ii) toward the delivery end of the conveyor A,the caps D arecaused to enter the supporting holes or pockets I I-in said slats by thevibratory or jiggling movement imparted thereto bythe moving chains. As`shown in Fig. l-O, caps that slide into the pockets H in a tiltedposition are properly positioned and centered therein by stationaryguide plates It that are disposed longitudinally of the receiving end ofthe conveyor just below the upper run thereof and in contact with theunder surface of the cap carrying plate III on said run Located justabove the conveyor A adjacent to the delivery end thereof is ahorizontal cross drum or tubular shaft I5, which is rotatably supportedat its ends in suitable bearings provided therefor in the two sideplates or frames 9 of the die-press C. This cross drum has a circularseries of diametrically opposed outstanding bosses or die members I6formed on the outer peripheralv surface thereof that are disposed inline with each longitudinal row of cap supporting pockets II and areadapted to be brought into successive register with successive pocketsof the moving slats I9 and into successive register with a verticallyreciprocable die member I1 located just above said drum. Thus, the drumI5 is provided with a circular series of die members I6 for each row ofpockets II and a single die member I1 is provided for each series of diemembers I6, the die members I1 forming the upper members of a gang ofdie sets for the die-press C and the die members I6 forming the lowermembers of said die sets when brought into position immediately belowsaid upper die members by the rotary movement of said drum. The diemembers I6 are shaped to snugly receive and support the caps D, whichare forced or pushed onto said die members when the latter are at thebottom of the drum I5 by vertically reciprocable plungers I8. When thepockets II move into position above the plungers I8, said plungers moveupwardly through said pockets and engage the caps therein with the diemembers on the bottom of said drum.

Each of the upper die members I1 comprises a threaded shank portion I9that terminates at its lower end in an enlarged portion having a centralcircular recess therein, which recess, together with the radial diemembers I6 on the rotary drum I5, are of a size and shape that willrestore the distorted caps to their original form or shape. The upperdie members I1 are threaded upwardly into a horizontal crosshead 2Iwhose ends are located in vertical guideways 22 provided therefor in theside plates or frames 9 of the die-press C; and the plungers I8 arethreaded downwardly into a horizontal crosshead 23 whose ends arelocated in vertical guideways 24 in said side frames.

Vertical reciprocating movement is imparted to the crossheads 2I and 23by means of a horizontally disposed cross shaft 25 located just abovethe crosshead 2| and journaled in suitable bearings 26 provided thereforin the side frames 9. The cross shaft 25 has a pulley 21 fixed to oneend thereof that is continuously driven by means of a belt 28. Saidshaft has two eccentrics 29 rigid therewith just inside the respectiveside frames 9; and said shaft also has two eccentrics 30 rigid therewithjust outside of said side frames. The eccentrics 29 are connected to theupper crosshead 2| by links 3| whose upper ends are journaled on thesaid eccentrics and whose lower ends are secured to said cross head bymeans of horizontal pivots 32. The eccentrics 30 are likewise connectedto the lower crosshead 23 by links whose upper ends are journaled onsaid eccentrics and whose lower ends are secured by horizontal pivots 36to the respective ends of said lower crosshead. The eccentrics 29 areangularly offset relative to the eccentrics 38, whereby a reversereciprocatory movement is imparted to the two crossheads 2I and 23. Eachof the upper die members I1 has an axially slidable spring-pressedplunger 31 mounted therein having an enlarged lower end portion with adepending punch pin 38 that is disposed in the cap receiving recess ofthe die member eccentric there- 5 to and is adapted to impress a mark onthe cap as it is engaged by the downwardly moving die member.

A rotary step-by-step or indexing movement is imparted to the rotarydrum I5 of the die-press C preferably by means of a link 39, which isconnected at its upper end to one end of the upper die carryingcrosshead 2I and at its lower end to one arm of a lever 49 that ispvotally secured by a screw stud. 48a. to the corresponding end of anair cylinder 4I that is non-rotatably mounted in the axial bore of saiddrum. The other arm of the lever 40 has a pawl 42 pivotally securedthereto which cooperates with a ratchet wheel 43 that is fixed to thedrum I5 for rotation therewith by means of screws 44. Thus, when theupper die supporting crosshead 2l moves upwardly away from the rotarydrum I5, the pawl 42 moves downwardly into engagement with one of theteeth of the ratchet wheel 43 and thus rotates said drum a distancecorresponding to the circumferential spacing of the die members I6carried thereby; and when said crosshead moves downwardly, said pawlmoves upwardly relative to said ratchet wheel into engagement with thenext tooth thereof without imparting any rotary movement to said drum.

A step-by-step longitudinal feed movement is transmitted from the rotarydrum I5 to the conveyor A through a gear 45 rigid with said drum, a gear46 rigid with the driving sprocket wheel shaft 8 and a gear 41 journaledon one ol the side plates 9 and intermeshing continuously with the gears45 and 46. By this arrangement, whenever the drum I5 is indexed to bringdiametrically opposite die members I6 thereof into vertical alinementwith the upper die members I1 and the plungers I8, feed movement isimparted to the conveyor A to bring a carrier plate I0 beneath said drumwith its cap receiving pockets II in line with said die members andplungers. The upper die members I1 and the plungers I8 then move towardseach other into operative position and return to inoperative po sitionbefore the next feed movement is imparted 50 to the rotary drum I5 andthe conveyor A.

The air cylinder 4I is supplied with air or other fluid pressure througha supply pipe 48, which opens into said cylinder through one endthereof; and said cylinder is held against rotation with the rotary drumI5 by means of an anchor bracket 49 which is rigidly secured to anadjacent side frame 9 of the die-press C and to said end of saidcylinder. The cylindrical drum I5 has radial ports 50 in a wall thereofthat extend through the die members I6 thereof and open through theouter ends of said die members; and the air cylinder 4I has a radialport 5I therethrough on the downwardly moving side of said drum in linewith each series of die members I6 thereon. By this arrangement, whenthe die members I6, with the reshaped or reformed capsD thereon moveclear of the upper die members I 'I into a position that will bring theports 50 in the die members I6 in register with the discharge ports 5Iof the air cylinder 4I, air escapes from said cylinder through saidregistering ports and serves to release or strip the reshaped caps fromthe die members I6, after which these die members move downwardly intoposition to have other caps pressed thereon by the plungers I8.

The hereinbefore described cap reshaping machine is simple and eicientand fully automatic in its operation. The used caps D are carried by theendless conveyor A to the die-press C in multiple rows with the capsproperly spaced apart and properly positioned in said rows. Thestep-by-step movements are simultaneously imparted to the endlessconveyor A and the rotary drum I5 during the up stroke of the upper diemembers I'I and the down stroke of the cap seating plungers I8; and saidconveyor and rotary drum remain stationary while the plungers i I8 moveu-pwardly to seat the caps on the bottommost die members i6 of the drumand while the upper die members Il move downwardly into engagement withthe cap seated on the topmost die members of said drum. The caps, afterbeing lifted out. of the supporting pockets Il in the cross slats i andpressed on to the lowermost die members I6 of the rotary drum, moveupwardly with said drum until they reach the top thereof where they areengaged by the upper die members Il; and these nished caps are thencarried by said drum away from said upper die members until the capsupporting die members I6 are brought into register with the dischargeport 5l of the air cylinder 4I, whereupon the finished caps are strippedfrom the supporting dies by an air blast from said cylinder and the lastmentioned dies then move downwardly into position to receive caps thatare brought into position therebeneath by the conveyor slats i0. Duringthe operation of reshaping the cap between the cooperating die membersI6 and I1 a mark or dent is impressed on the body portion l2 of the capby the spring-loaded plunger 38 carried by the upper die members Il,whereby the number of such marks on the cap will indicate the number oftimes the cap has been reshaped.

Obviously, the hereinbefore described cap reshaping machine admits ofconsiderable modication without departing from the invention. Therefore,I do not wish to be limited to the precise details shown and described.

What I claim is:

l. A machine for reshaping used bottle caps comprising a rotary memberhaving a series of circumferentially spaced die members thereon, aplunger member and a die member spaced apart around the circumference ofsaid rotary member and reciprocable radially thereof, means forimparting a rotary indexing movement to said rotary member to bring thedie members thereof successively into axial alinement with said plungerand reciprocable die member, respectively, means operable during theindexing movement of said rotary member for positioning a cap in linewith said plunger, means operable in the stationary position of saidrotary member to engage said plunger with said cap and seat the latteron the die member in line with said plunger and then return said plungerto inoperative position, means operable during the stationary positionof said rotary member to move said reciprocable die member intoengagement with the cap seated on the die member in line with saidreciprocable die member, to thereby reshape said cap, and then returnsaid reciprocable die member to inoperative position, said cappositioning means comprising an endless conveyor, power operated meansfor operating said conveyor, said rotary member and said plunger andreciprocable die member in proper timed relation, fluid pressure meansfor stripping the caps from the die members of said rotary member whenthey move clear of said reciprocable die member, and means forimpressing a mark on the caps during the engagement thereof by saidreciprocable die member,

2. A machine for reshaping used bottle caps comprising a cylindermounted for rotation on a horizontal axis and having a series ofdiametrically opposed die members on its outer peripheral surface, a diemember located on one side of said cylinder, and reciprocable towardsand away therefrom, a plunger member located on the opposite side ofsaid cylinder and reciprocable towards and away therefrom, means forrotating said cylinder to bring diametrically opposed die membersthereon into successive alinement with said plunger and reciprocable diemember, respectively, means operable during the rotary movement of saidcylinder to position a cap between the latter and said plunger, andmeans operable when diametrically opposed die members of said cylinderare in alinement with said reciprocable die member and plunger forengaging said plunger with said cap to seat the latter on one of saiddiametrically opposed die members and for engaging said reciprocable diemember with a cap previously seated on the other of said diametricallyopposed die members by said plunger.

3. The combination set forth in claim 2, in which the cap positioningmeans is an endless conveyor, power operated means is provided forintermittently operating said conveyor, said cylinder and said plungerand reciprocable die member in proper timed relation, and iiuid pressuremeans is provided for stripping the caps from the die members of saidcylinder when they move clear of said reciprocable die member.

4. A. machine for reshaping used bottle caps comprising a rotary memberhaving a series of oircumferentially spaced outstanding die membersthereon, a plunger member and die member spaced apart around thecircumference of said rotary member and reciprocable radially thereof,means for imparting a step-by-step rotary movement to said rotary memberto bring the die members thereof successively in line with said plungerand reciprocable die member, respectively, an endless cap feedingconveyor, means for imparting a step-by-step feed movement to saidconveyor to position caps thereon successively in line with saidplunger, means operable in the stationary positions of said rotarymember and conveyor to engage said plunger with a cap in line therewithand seat such cap on a die member oi said rotary member in line withsaid plunger and then return said plunger to inoperative position; andmeans operable during the stationary positions of said rotary member tomove said reciprocable die member into engagement with the cap seated ona die member of said rotary member in line with said reciprocable diemember, to thereby reshape said cap, and then return said reciprocabledie member to inoperative position.

5. A machine for reshaping used bottle caps comprising an endlesshorizontal conveyor having a longitudinal row of spaced cap carryingmembers, a die-press at the delivery end of said conveyor including acylinder located above said conveyor and rotatable on a horizontal axisdisposed transversely thereof, said cylinder having on the outerperipheral surface thereof series of circumferentially spaced diemembers disposed line with said longitudinal row of can carryingmembers, a vertically reciprocable plunger located below said cylinderand adapted to engage caps on successive cap carrying members of saidconveyor to seat said caps on the die member on the underside of saidcylinder, a vertically reciprocable die member located above saidcylinder and movable downwardly into engagement with a cap on the diemember on the upper side of said cylinder, means for imparting asimultaneous step-by-step movement to said conveyor and said rotarydrum, and means for simultaneously reciprocating said plunger and saidreciprocable die member in the stationary positions of said conveyor androtary cylinder.

6. A machine for reshaping used bottle caps comprising an endlesshorizontal conveyor having an endless longitudinal row of cap carryingrecesses, a die-press at the delivery end of said conveyor including acylinder located above said conveyor and rotatable on a horizontal axisdisposed transversely thereof, said cylinder having on the outerperipheral surface thereof a series of diametrically opposed die membersin the Vertical plane of the cap carrying recesses located' below saidrotary member, a vertically reciprocable plunger located below saidcylinder and adapted to engage successive cap carrying recesses on saidconveyor to seat said caps on the die members on the underside of saidcylinder, a vertically reciprocable die member located above saidcylinder and movable downwardly into engagement with a cap on the diemember on the upper side of said cylinder, means on said reciprocabledie member for impressing a mark on said cap at a point offset from thecenter thereof, and means for imparting a simultaneous step-by-stepmovement to said conveyor and said rotary drum and for simultaneouslyreciprocating said plunger and said reciprocable die member in thestationary positions of said conveyor and rotary cylinder.

7. A machine for reshaping used bottle caps comprising an endlesshorizontal conveyor having a longitudinal row of spaced cap carryingmembers, a die-press at the delivery end of said conveyor including acylinder located above said conveyor and rotatable on a horizontal axisdisposed transversely thereof, said cylinder having on the outerperipheral surface thereof a series of circumferentially spaced diemembers disposed in line with said longitudinal row of cap carryingmembers, a vertically reciprocable plunger located below said cylinderand adapted to engage caps on successive cap carrying members of saidconveyor to seat said caps on the die member on the underside of saidcylinder, a vertically reciprocable die member located above saidcylinder and movable downwardly into engagement with a cap on the diemember on the upper side of said cylinder, and means for imparting asimultaneous step-by-step movement to said conveyor and said rotary drumand for simultaneously reciprocating said plunger and said reciprocabledie member in the stationary positions of said conveyor and rotarycylinder, said means comprising a power driven shaft, an operativeconnection between said shaft and said rotary member, an operativeconnection between said shaft and said plunger, an operative connectionbetween said shaft and said reciprocable die member, and an operativeconnection between said rotary member and said conveyor.

8. A machine for reshaping used bottle caps comprising an endlesshorizontal conveyor having a longitudinal row of spaced cap carryingmembers, a die-press at the delivery end of said conveyor including acylinder located above said conveyor and rotatable on a horizontal axisdisposed transversely thereof, said cylinder having on the outerperipheral surface thereof a series of circumferentially spaced diemembers disposed in line with said longitudinal row of cap carryingmembers, a vertically reciprocable plunger located below said cylinderand adapted to engage caps on successive cap carrying members of saidconveyor to seat said caps on the die member on the underside of saidcylinder, a vertically reciprocable die member located above saidcylinder and movable downwardly into engagement with a cap on the diemember on the upper side of said cylinder, and means for imparting asimultaneous step-by-step movement to said conveyor and said rotary drumand for simultaneously reciprocating said plunger and said reciprocabledie member in the stationary positions of said conveyor and rotarycylinder, said means comprising a power driven shaft having twoeccentrics thereon, an operative connection between one of saideccentrics and said rotary drum and said plunger, an operativeconnection between the other of said eccentrics and said reciprocabledie member, and a drive gearing connection between said rotary memberand said conveyor. A

9. A machine for reshaping used bottle caps comprising an endlesshorizontal conveyor having a longitudinal row of spaced cap carryingrecesses thereon, a die-press at the delivery end of said conveyor, saiddie-press including a cylinder located above said conveyor and rotatableon a horizontal axis disposed transversely thereof, said cylinder havingon the outer peripheral surface thereof a series of diametricallyopposed die members, a vertically reciprocable plunger located belowsaid cylinder and adapted to engage successive cap carrying recesses onsaid conveyor to seat said caps on successive die members on the bottomof said cylinder, a vertically reciprocable die member located abovesaid cylinder and movable downwardly into engagement with caps onsuccessive die members on 4top of said cylinder, means for imparting asimultaneous stepby-step movement to said conveyor and said rotary drumand for simultaneously reciprocating said plunger and said reciprocabledie member in the stationary positions of said conveyor and rotarycylinder, said means comprising a power driven shaft, an operativeconnection between said shaft and said rotary drum and said plunger, anoperative connection between said shaft and said reciprocable die memberand an operative connection between said rotary member and saidconveyor, and a stationary fluid pressure cylinder mounted in saidrotary cylinder concentric therewith and having a fluid discharge portin its side wall, said rotary member having passageways therein openingthrough the cap receiving portions of the die members thereof andadapted when said last mentioned die members move clear of saidreciprocable die member to register with said port, whereby the iiuidpressure in said cylinder is adapted to strip said caps from the diemembers of said rotary member.

10. A machine for reshaping used bottle caps comprising an endlesshorizontal conveyor having a longitudinal row of cap carrying membersthereon, a die-press at the delivery end of said conveyor, saiddie-press including a cylinder located above said conveyor and rotatableon a horizontal axis disposed transversely thereof, said cylinder havingon the outer peripheral surface thereof a series of diametricallyopposed die members, a vertically reciprocable plunger located belowsaid cylinder and adapted to engage caps on successive cap carryingmembers of said conveyor to seat said caps on successive die members ofsaid cylinder, a vertically reciprocable die member located above saidcylinder and movable downwardly into engagement with caps on successivedie members of said cylinder, and means for imparting a simultaneousstep-by-step movement to said conveyor and said rotary drum and forsimultaneously reciprocating said plunger and said reciprocable diemember in the stationary positions of said conveyor and rotary cylinder,said means comprising a power driven shaft, a vertically slidablecrosshead for supporting said reciprocable die member, an operativeconnection between said shaft and said crosshead, a vertically slidablecrosshead for supporting said plunger, an operative connection betweensaid shaft and said last mentioned crosshead, a lever mounted forpivotal movement about the rotary axis of said rotary cylinder, a linkconnection between one arm of said lever and said rst mentionedcrosshead, a ratchet wheel secured to said rotary cylinder concentrictherewith, a pawl pivotally mounted on the other arm of said lever andadapted to cooperate with said ratchet wheel during the upward movementof said first mentioned crosshead to thereby rotate said rotarycylinder, and a driving connection between said rotary cylinder and saidconveyor.

11. A machine for reshaping used bottle caps comprising an endlesshorizontal conveyor having a longitudinal row of cap carrying elementsthereon, a die-press at the delivery end of said conveyor, saiddie-press including a cylinder located above sad conveyor and rotatableon a horizontal axis disposed transversely thereof, said cylinder havingon the outer peripheral surface thereof a series of diametricallyopposed die members, a vertically reciprocable plunger located belowsaid cylinder and adapted to engage caps on successive cap carryingelements of said conveyor and seat said caps cn successive die memberson said cylinder, a vertically reciprocable die member located abovesaid cylinder and movable downwardly into engagement with `caps onsuccessive die members of said cylinder, means on said reciprocable diemember for impressing ai' mark on said cap at a point offset from thecenter thereof, means for imparting a simultaneous step-by-step movementto said conveyor and said rotary drum and for simultaneouslyreciprocating said plunger and said reciprocable die member in thestationary positions of said conveyor and rotary cylinder, said meanscomprising a power driven shaft having eccentrics thereon, a verticallyslidable crosshead for supporting said reciprocable die member, an armjournaled on one of said eccentrics and pivotally secured to saidcrosshead, a vertically slidable crosshead for supporting said plunger,an arm journaled on the other of said eccentrics and pivotally connectedto said last mentioned crosshead, a lever mounted for pivotal movementabout the rotary axis of said rotary cylinder, a link connection betweenone arm of said lever and said first mentioned crosshead, a ratchetwheel secured to said rotary cylinder, a pawl pivotally mounted on theother arm of said lever and adapted to cooperate with said ratchet wheelduring the upward movement of said first mentioned crosshead to therebyrotate said rotary cylinder, and gearing operatively connecting saidrotary cylinder to said conveyor.

WILLIAM H. HARTMANN.

